Mistrial declared after defendant shoots self

Thu, 2014-04-03 16:32

LAFAYETTE (AP) — U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Foote declared a mistrial in a synthetic marijuana case, hours after one of the defendants shot himself.
Barry Domingue, a lawyer from Carencro, is being treated at Lafayette General Medical Center for a gunshot wound to the head.
U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley said Domingue left a suicide note that could contain information germane to the case.
Domingue and Lafayette lawyer Daniel Stanford were standing trial on various conspiracy charges.
After Wednesday’s turn of events, Stanford requested a mistrial, which Foote granted.
Domingue and Stanford were on trial for their alleged roles in running a string of Curious Goods stores, which prosecutors have said sold illegal synthetic marijuana branded as Mr. Miyagi.